Kiwi Rail Bridges

Client: KiwiRail / Albert Smith Industries

KiwiRail/Albert Smith Industries engaged Culham Engineering as their steel fabricator of choice for the fabrication of four new rail bridges on the North Island main trunk line.

These bridges were a New Zealand first to be built in weathering steel. Working closely with Albert Smith and Novera Design, Culham Engineering constructed these large bridge sections in our Whangarei workshops.

Some of these girders are quite possibly the largest to be fabricated in New Zealand, weighing some 46 tonne with a depth of 2.7 metres and 36 metres long. Handling these monsters required special consideration so we came up with a unique handling system.

Once fabrication was complete, all components were transported to site and reassembled beside the trunk line ready for installation. As this line is the main trunk route, minimum disruption was imperative. The installation time frame was 12 hours, so precise scheduling was crucial.

Culham Engineering is proud to be associated with KiwiRail and Albert Smith Industries on this most innovative project.